This Guide’s Guide Climbed Yosemite’s Big Walls With Iron Age Gear
, JeEvery January, we share a tribute to members of our community who we lost last year. Some were legends, others were pillars of their community, all were climbers. Read the full tribute to Climbers We Lost in 2025 here.
Jerry Anderson, 78, May 7
Jerry Anderson was a “guide’s guide” and all who were lucky to share his company learned more about nature. He shared facts about flora, fauna, geology, and astronomy, as well as how to move efficiently, from hiking and skiing, to, of course, climbing.
Like many climbing notables, he first put boot to stone at Stoney Point. Jerry also enjoyed fishing, SCUBA diving, and a recreational lifestyle with his wife Sigrid, family, and friends. Over many decades, “The Climbing Family Andersons” made hundreds of notable first ascents and contributions to several Yosemite and surrounding area guidebooks. Jerry was always planning and prepping for the next outing and route he’d spied.
In the 1960s, Jerry moved into Yosemite’s Camp 4, employing “Iron Age” gear and tactics to climb big walls. In the `70s, he put in time with Yosemite Search and Rescue (YOSAR), while embracing the then new lighter weight “clean climbing” ethos. This became the “Aluminum Age.”
As the popularity of climbing in the `80s and `90s grew (and up until his passing), Jerry saw the value of creating quality bolted routes—where crack protection was scant, sketchy, or non-existent. His emphasis was always safe fun at all grades and fun for all climbers, regardless of experience or ability. Endorsing and practicing the principles of the American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA), he also volunteered his time and energy for approach trail and climbing route maintenance.
In each climbing discipline, Jerry’s assessment of risk management and assurance of reward stayed top of mind. This held true whether he was climbing with friends or working for guide outfits, including Yosemite Mountain Guides and Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides. On snow, he worked as a Level 3 Instructor at various ski resorts and was well known as a Trainer for the Professional Ski Instructors of America. In all outdoor disciplines, he most enjoyed helping others improve their education, experience, and skills in order to “move on up.”
Always inquisitive, never complacent, Jerry was constantly exploring, expanding his knowledge base, surrounding himself with friends, and forging the best path forward. Always onward and always “up.” In recent years (before the “big C” took final hold), he and Sigrid would host semi-annual gatherings. Folks would come together for a long weekend of climbing and tell even longer stories around each night’s fire. These climbing campouts made lasting memories, lifelong friendships, and the best partners.
Jerry made his home near Yosemite. It served as the perfect basecamp and launch pad for pursuing his passions in the Sierras: new route-aineering, trout fishing, hiking, backpacking, and come winter, skiing. All will forever miss his depth of knowledge, wisdom, infectious smile, laughter, and endless enthusiasm.
Jerry passed from a prolonged and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. Not one to complain, his will and grace remain an example and inspiration for all.
Read the full tribute to Climbers We Lost in 2025 here.
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